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Luis Perez defends his IBF Junior Bantamweight Title against Dimitri Kirilov on Showtime Boxing
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00:00:11The hometown ring. It can either inspire or distract. Ricky Hatton derives both
00:00:19strength and confidence from his Manchester fans. With their rabid
00:00:25encouragement he defied the odds and wrested the title from the mighty
00:00:29cost you soon. Manchester supporters are the best supporters in the world. In
00:00:35contrast two distracted champions recently lost their focus and their
00:00:40titles at home. St. Louis' Corey Spinks broke the hearts of the Missouri
00:00:47faithful losing his belts to Brooklyn's Zab Judah. Zab Judah comes into the hometown of Corey Spinks
00:00:58who in turn disappointed New Yorkers by dropping a decision to unheralded Carlos
00:01:03Baldemir. Bring Zab home, put him in his hometown. I was doing the promoter's job, you know what I'm saying?
00:01:09Worcester's Jose Antonio Rivera is ambivalent on this issue. In his last fight he lost his title at home.
00:01:15Tonight he's relying on his skills, speed and partisan fans to win a new crown against
00:01:21Alejandro Terra Garcia. This super welterweight champion doesn't believe in a hometown advantage. Outside of his native Mexico, he's seven
00:01:32and one and believes his 23 KOs be louder than any hometown crowd.
00:01:41On this Cinco de Mayo weekend, Showtime Championship Boxing continues its 20th anniversary celebration from the heart of Massachusetts.
00:01:49This is the cozy DCU center in the blue collar city of Worcester, about one hour from Boston.
00:01:55The spirited fight fans here are gearing up for a world championship doubleheader featuring a favorite son who is enormously
00:02:02popular in these parts.
00:02:04It's fight night in Worcester.
00:02:09In our main event, he's the pride of Worcester. They love this guy here.
00:02:13All action hometown hero, Jose Antonio Rivera is looking to snatch away the WBA Super Welterweight Championship from hard hitting
00:02:20Alejandro Terra Garcia.
00:02:22And in our co-feature boxing's little big manor in action, the battle for the IBF Junior Bantamweight crown is
00:02:28the fierce once beaten Luis Alberto Perez
00:02:31puts his belt on the line against number one mandatory contender, Dimitri Carrillo.
00:02:40Hello again, everybody. Steve Albert from Worcester, Massachusetts.
00:02:44And right here at the outset, we extend a big get well wish to our executive producer and producer, David
00:02:49Dinkins Jr.,
00:02:50who's recovering from recent hip surgery.
00:02:52All the best, David, from the entire Showtime boxing crew.
00:02:55And we look forward to having you back next month.
00:02:58And out of the business at hand, there are plenty of big names in the 154-pound division,
00:03:03including Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, and Ricardo Mayorga.
00:03:07But if you look just below the surface, you'll find Alejandro Terra Garcia,
00:03:11whose KO percentage is higher than any of the division stars,
00:03:15and Jose Antonio Rivera, whose most recent bout was a nominee for 2005's Fight of the Year.
00:03:21Just because Garcia and Rivera may not be familiar names,
00:03:25doesn't mean they're not exciting world-class fighters.
00:03:28And with that, let me bring on my ringside partner, Al Bernstein.
00:03:31And Al, what do you think Garcia and Rivera rank in comparison to the aforementioned names?
00:03:36Well, one way to determine how you rank a division in general is not just how many marquee fighters you
00:03:41have in it,
00:03:41but what kind of matches can you create within that division?
00:03:45Now, toward that end, the two fighters we have tonight rank very high, as high as anyone,
00:03:49because they bring a specific skill set and style to this fight against each other
00:03:53that I think could make it one of the best this year in boxing.
00:03:57And, of course, if you're in that kind of fight, Steve, you can be catapulted into marquee status.
00:04:02Expectations are high for a very good fight.
00:04:04Coming up later on America's Fight Night, it'll be Alejandro Terra Garcia versus Jose Antonio Rivera
00:04:10for the WBA Super Welterweight Championship.
00:04:13That'll be our main event.
00:04:15Let's get to it.
00:04:16Originally, our first fight was the vacant IBF Cruiserweight Championship
00:04:19between Steve Cunningham and Guillermo Jones,
00:04:22but that fight was scratched due to contractual issues.
00:04:25So, we present the IBF Junior Bantamweight title fight
00:04:29as Luis Alberto Perez meets leading contender Dmitry Kurilov.
00:04:37Al, this fight features two guys in a very talented division who couldn't have more contrasting style.
00:04:43Boy, Steve, are they different in every conceivable way.
00:04:47You know, Perez is a freewheeling, hell-bent-for-leather kind of fighter.
00:04:51He thinks offense first and sometimes last.
00:04:54Now, with his style, he could be vulnerable early, especially because he's coming in off a one-year layoff.
00:04:59But his opponent, Dmitry Kurilov, well, he's more tactical, so the question is, can he take advantage of that early?
00:05:06Now, he suggested that he will change his style.
00:05:09Maybe a change born of necessity.
00:05:11Now, he said he learned some lessons in his losing title bid against WBC champ Masamori Takayama.
00:05:18Lessons he'll try and use tonight.
00:05:25One of those lessons is to keep the left hand up.
00:05:29Takayama blasted him over that low left hand.
00:05:33And he waited too long to get started offensively.
00:05:36He needs to get Perez's respect early in the match tonight.
00:05:41Kurilov has a good sneaky right hand.
00:05:43And he's reluctant to throw it.
00:05:44But hey, this is for a world title.
00:05:46Throw that punch.
00:05:52Perez is an excellent pressure fighter, so there's certainly no need to change tonight.
00:05:59Over the low Kurilov left hand, a right hook will work very well.
00:06:05However, jabs will get there even quicker.
00:06:10And Perez has a good, if sometimes underused, jab.
00:06:17A low left hand, as Felix Machado had here and as Kurilov often uses, will allow Perez to land a
00:06:24power jab.
00:06:25Now, that can hurt an opponent, not just rack up points.
00:06:29Look for that punch tonight.
00:06:38And making his American debut all the way from St. Petersburg, Russia, the challenger.
00:06:43The baby-faced Dmitry Kurilov getting his second world title shot.
00:06:48Unsuccessful the first go-round.
00:06:50He's 5-0 since, but inactive the last eight months.
00:06:54How can Kurilov overcome the aura of fighting in the U.S. for the first time?
00:06:59Well, to better prepare for that, he spent two months in a Los Angeles gym,
00:07:03and he sparred with some really great guys.
00:07:05Super flyweight contender Jose Navarro, who's a lefty, and super bantamweight champ Daniel Ponce de Leon.
00:07:12So, really, that was an excellent move, Steve.
00:07:14He's 2-0 versus Southpaws.
00:07:16However, in his last fight versus left-hander Ronaldo Lopez,
00:07:20Kurilov was knocked down for only the second time, although he pulled out a majority decision.
00:07:27And the champion Southpaw Luis Alberto Perez, a lifelong resident of Managua, Nicaragua,
00:07:32won the title in an upset three years ago via split decision.
00:07:36An action-packed win over talented lefty Felix Machado here on Showtime.
00:07:41Perez took that fight on just five days' notice.
00:07:44He was ranked number 15 at the time.
00:07:46His only blemish in nine and a half years, a unanimous decision to a quality Southpaw,
00:07:52Verde Torres, in 2000.
00:07:53Hasn't fought in over a year.
00:07:55His previous fight, 16 months before that.
00:07:58But in his last outing, Perez scored three knockdowns,
00:08:02just dominating Luis Polano on the John Ruiz James Tony card at Madison Square Garden.
00:08:07The third knockdown, by the way, on a body punch.
00:08:11Let's check the numbers as we go to the tail of the tape.
00:08:15Just a one-year difference in age.
00:08:17Perez turned 28 last month.
00:08:19The champion Perez with a one-and-a-half-inch height advantage
00:08:21and a two-inch edge in reach.
00:08:24At yesterday's weigh-in, both under the limit, each one 14-and-a-half.
00:08:29And the key unified rules, no standing eight count, no three knockdown rule.
00:08:33A fighter cannot be saved by the bell in any round.
00:08:36If an accidental headbutt causes a fight to end within four rounds, it's a no decision.
00:08:40After four rounds, they go to the scorecards.
00:08:42If a punch causes a cut and the injured fighter can't continue, he loses by TKO.
00:08:51So here at the DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts,
00:08:54we're getting ready for Luis Alberto Perez versus Dmitry Kurilov
00:08:59for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Championship.
00:09:01We get the formal introductions from our ring announcer, Jimmy Lennon, Jr.
00:09:08Ladies and gentlemen from the DCU Center here in Worcester, Massachusetts,
00:09:13a very good evening to you and welcome,
00:09:16as we have a big night of action in store for you.
00:09:20And it's all brought to you by Don King Productions and Showtime.
00:09:25This bout coming away is the first of our world title attractions.
00:09:29It is sanctioned by the IBF, the President, Marian Muhammad, Supervisor Al Lucas,
00:09:35along with the Massachusetts State Boxing Commission.
00:09:39Introducing to you our three judges scoring this bout from ringside.
00:09:42From Johnstown, Ohio, Mike Ancona.
00:09:46From Worcester, Massachusetts, Paul Berry.
00:09:50And from Dubuque, Iowa, David Hess.
00:09:54And introducing to you our third man to the ring, the referee in charge,
00:09:58hailing from Dudley, Massachusetts, John Zablocki.
00:10:04All right, fans, here we go.
00:10:07Twelve rounds of boxing for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Championship of the World.
00:10:15Introducing to you first the challenger on my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
00:10:19Wearing white, red, and blue trunks, he joins us from St. Petersburg, Russia.
00:10:25He weighed in at 114 and one half-bounds.
00:10:29With a record of 28 wins, two losses.
00:10:32He has ten wins coming by way of knockout.
00:10:36Tonight is his second attempt at a world title.
00:10:39Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the IBF number one ranked junior Bantamweight contender.
00:10:46Introducing Dimitri, the baby Kirilov.
00:10:56And his opponent across the ring is the defending world champion on my left, fighting out of the red corner.
00:11:03Wearing red trunks with white trim, he hails from Managua, Nicaragua.
00:11:09He weighed in the same as his opponent, 114 and one half-bounds.
00:11:13His fine record stands at 23 wins.
00:11:17Only one defeat with 15 wins coming by way of knockout.
00:11:22Ladies and gentlemen, tonight he is in the third defense of his title.
00:11:26Please welcome the IBF Junior Bantamweight Champion of the World.
00:11:30Introducing Luis El Demoledor Perez.
00:11:41Once again a referee in charge, John Zablaki now to give instructions.
00:11:47One Chief second, guys.
00:11:51Come on, guys.
00:11:57All right, you both got your instructions in the dressing room.
00:11:59Again, 12 rounds IBF Junior Bantamweight title.
00:12:03Good luck to both of you.
00:12:04Touch them up.
00:12:05Touch them up.
00:12:06Touch gloves.
00:12:10A fight of consequences in boxing's talented 115-pound division with a belt on the line.
00:12:17They call him the Demolisher, El Demoledor.
00:12:19The champion Luis Alberto Perez, a natural righty who's an aggressive southpaw fighter,
00:12:24physically strong and rough, looks to lure you into a brawl and likes to get to work quickly.
00:12:28The challenger, Dmitry Kurilov, a.k.a. the baby, only 12 World Championship rounds to Perez's 30,
00:12:35but has experience against solid opposition, a strong amateur background, about 100 fights.
00:12:41He is without question a boxer first, not known for being very aggressive.
00:12:46Kurilov in the white trunks.
00:12:48He's all about technique, but it would seem, Al, as you pointed out earlier,
00:12:53Kurilov will have to make some serious adjustments, you know, to his style tonight
00:12:57against a guy who will look to take the fight to him.
00:13:01Well, I think the first adjustment he absolutely has to make is to try and keep his left hand
00:13:05a little higher, because the jab, which just got in there by Perez, will continue to land.
00:13:11Yeah, from studying tapes of Kurilov, a long left by the man in red, Perez,
00:13:16he's really going to have to step up his game.
00:13:18Perez is a hard puncher, he's very busy.
00:13:22Kurilov, not known as a big puncher, isn't very busy, but he is tough and determined.
00:13:29Speaking of studying tapes, neither Perez nor his trainers watch tapes of opponents,
00:13:34which I always find intriguing.
00:13:36Yeah, that was interesting.
00:13:37I mean, neither of them, not a second of tapes.
00:13:40So when they see Dmitry Kurilov in that ring, now it's the first time they're seeing anything he does.
00:13:45You know, for a small fee, they could have checked with us.
00:13:47Yeah, we would have given them some information.
00:13:49No problem. Certainly.
00:13:51Nice combination by Kurilov.
00:13:53You know, at his best, Dmitry is a good combination puncher.
00:13:56He just doesn't get started quickly enough in fights.
00:14:00But so far tonight, he's, I think, gotten off to a little better start in terms of activity anyway.
00:14:04The straight left by Perez, though, finding a home.
00:14:10We'll see if Kurilov can apply what he learned in his previous world title exposure, which he lost.
00:14:17Outworked by Masamori Tokoyama.
00:14:19Nice uppercut on the inside by Perez.
00:14:22A sweeping right by Kurilov.
00:14:25Missed.
00:14:25Step back. Don't punch. Step back.
00:14:27Good job.
00:14:27But in that fight, Kurilov just waited too long.
00:14:29He was rocked in the 11th, came on in the 12th, but way too late.
00:14:33He's got to be aggressive earlier.
00:14:37Now, Perez, with that year layoff, you could see some signs of that.
00:14:41You know, he's, he's, um, he's just not as sharp right early as he would like to be.
00:14:49When last we saw Perez in 2003, the knock on him, not busy enough, but he was plenty busy.
00:14:55Versus fellow southpaw Felix Machado to take away the belt.
00:15:00He's a very good inside fighter.
00:15:03Good from close range.
00:15:04Step back. Step back.
00:15:07Not a bad technician.
00:15:10But he has to work his way in with the jab.
00:15:13He can't just waltz in.
00:15:14He's got to work his way in, close the gap, and throw combinations.
00:15:18Nice right hand.
00:15:20A poking shot by Kurilov that got through.
00:15:35And round one in the books.
00:15:43Our translator, Felix De Jesus.
00:15:55You have to cut him. You have to cut him. Cut him with the scissor.
00:16:02No, I don't want that.
00:16:03No, I don't want that.
00:16:04Just a little bit. Just a little bit there on the side.
00:16:07And the other one.
00:16:14Well, after the haircut for Perez, a very good beginning for Dmitry Kurilov.
00:16:20He landed some very nice short right hands, which we said in the keys would be an important punch for
00:16:26him to throw.
00:16:27And he is getting that in early against Perez.
00:16:31A familiar face in the corner of Perez is former 105 and 108 pound champ Rosendo Alvarez.
00:16:39His cut man and his promoter in Nicaragua.
00:16:43The wife of Rosendo Alvarez, Ana Francis Donaire, is Perez's manager.
00:16:50Alvarez, of course, seen here on Showtime.
00:16:53And you'll be hearing more about him later in the show.
00:16:56But the interesting thing is Perez replaced Rosendo Alvarez on short notice against Felix Machado a few years ago here
00:17:04on Showtime.
00:17:05So it was a win-win situation for Rosendo's wife.
00:17:10So far, Dmitry Kurilov has done a very good defensive job.
00:17:14There's that right hand again by Kurilov.
00:17:17He is slipping Perez's punches much better than I think some might have imagined.
00:17:22Perez very wild with his punches.
00:17:24Not nearly as sharp as he would like to be early in this match.
00:17:27That could change, though.
00:17:30Step back. Good job. Good job.
00:17:32Round two scheduled for 12 for the IBF Junior Bataway Championship.
00:17:40Perez missing and a nice countering straight right hand over the top by Kurilov.
00:17:46Kurilov on the attack earlier than usual and it seems to be paying dividends.
00:17:55Perez is reaching with his straight left and Kurilov is countering him with the right hand.
00:18:02Again, a nice surge by Kurilov, hammering away with that right hand.
00:18:07Steve, we talked about the Tokiyama fight.
00:18:10What a difference between Dmitry Kurilov in this fight and that one.
00:18:14He is so much more aggressive early in this fight.
00:18:17He didn't wake up, really, until he got nailed in the 11th round.
00:18:24And he said he learned a lot from that defeat.
00:18:28Step back. Step back. Good job.
00:18:31Third man of the ring, John Zablocki, out of Dudley, Massachusetts.
00:18:35His first world title bout.
00:18:37He did ref an eliminator between Roman Karmazin, or as they say in Russia, Karmazin versus Keith Holmes.
00:18:46And Roman Karmazin is in the corner of his close friend and stablemate, Dmitry Kurilov.
00:18:52Terrific junior middleweight champion.
00:18:56Again, a nice solid straight right hand by Kurilov.
00:19:02So far, honestly, Dmitry Kurilov couldn't have drawn up a better opening two rounds than he's had here against Perez.
00:19:11Keep him up.
00:19:24Kurilov, not tremendously active the last couple of years.
00:19:27Which may explain why he's had a bit of a problem with stamina in late rounds.
00:19:31So, he may be looking to get Perez out of there early.
00:19:36Because if this goes deep, we'll see if conditioning there becomes a factor.
00:19:46A very good round for the Russian, Kurilov.
00:20:02Give me a deep breath.
00:20:04Everything okay?
00:20:06You feel him?
00:20:08He's slower than you.
00:20:10He's slower than you, Dimon.
00:20:12But you're standing there and you're giving him an opportunity to prepare his attack.
00:20:16Don't stand there.
00:20:21Here's where Perez reaches with the left hand and then gets hit with both a jab and a right hand
00:20:27after that.
00:20:28I mean, it's a perfect example of how Perez's hand speed is less than they thought.
00:20:34Working the corner of Kurilov.
00:20:36You're doing a good job.
00:20:37You're making him.
00:20:38Don't stand there.
00:20:39Keep moving.
00:20:40Keep moving left.
00:20:41Keep moving left.
00:20:42Let's keep moving.
00:20:43Let's get into the right.
00:20:43Our interpreter Steve Bash.
00:20:45The two fighters took an oath to become world champions at the gravesite of their trainer, Igor Labadev.
00:20:51Talking about Karmazin.
00:20:53And Dimitri, of course, that died this past January.
00:20:59Karmazin lived up to the promise as IBF Junior Middleweight Champion.
00:21:03and now it's Kurilov's turn.
00:21:07Very heartfelt by both those boxers.
00:21:10And right now, Lebedev would be proud of what his young man is doing
00:21:17because this is just a textbook performance so far by Kurilov.
00:21:20And there's the hook mixed in by Kurilov.
00:21:23This is as good as we've seen him look at any time we've seen him.
00:21:27Stepping up on the big stage here, and so far taking advantage
00:21:31is Dmitry Kurilov.
00:21:36So far in this fight, Perez just looks like, it's the old boxing phrase,
00:21:41he can't get his punches off.
00:21:42He just can't throw sharp punches.
00:21:46Of course, he hasn't fought in a long time, and that could be part of it.
00:21:50Oh, a nice right hand over the top by Kurilov.
00:21:53That connected.
00:21:54High connect percentage, but back comes Perez, but most of those missing.
00:22:00Well, there are times when Kurilov's able to unleash that snappy right.
00:22:05A very quick snappy right, and it's been effective tonight.
00:22:10In that fight in Japan against Tokoyama, he didn't use it often enough,
00:22:13but he's certainly going to adhere, and it's working.
00:22:15You know, Steve, one of the things we thought we would see in this fight
00:22:18is Perez really attacking Kurilov, and could Kurilov keep him off?
00:22:22Instead, while Kurilov has shown some lateral movement there,
00:22:25he's also been the attacker, so it's not as if Perez is stalking him
00:22:29throughout this fight.
00:22:33Kurilov!
00:22:35With a beautiful combination.
00:22:37I think he hurt Perez with that right hand.
00:22:40Backs Perez up.
00:22:43It has been Kurilov on the attack.
00:22:46Now Perez to the body,
00:22:48and he sends Kurilov backpedaling momentarily.
00:22:58Perez now doing the stalking,
00:23:00but missing wildly.
00:23:04Kurilov, in addition to the great offense,
00:23:07is showing a great ability to slip punches.
00:23:11Kurilov looking very sharp.
00:23:13Beautiful straight right hand,
00:23:14right on the button by Kurilov.
00:23:29Perez missing with most of those punches.
00:23:31The right uppercut,
00:23:32the straight left.
00:23:36Oh, nice counterpunch left hand by Perez
00:23:38after the right hand by Kurilov.
00:23:40I'll get up on the!
00:23:41I'll get up on the!
00:23:42I'll get up on the!
00:23:42I'll get up on the!
00:23:43I'll get up on the!
00:23:43I'll get up on the!
00:23:44I'll get up on the!
00:23:45I'll get up on the bell round three.
00:23:49We'll follow Kurilov into his corner.
00:23:52Again, our Russian translator is Stephen Badge.
00:24:04Give me the sponge.
00:24:06Put the sponge on his chest.
00:24:08Spit.
00:24:10Good job.
00:24:13You keep standing there after he hits you.
00:24:16Either go forward or backwards.
00:24:19Right to the chest and the left, then the left hook.
00:24:27Another excellent round.
00:24:28Now, the left hook is always a good weapon against the southpaw.
00:24:31And here, after the right hand doesn't land by Perez, there's the hook by Kurilov.
00:24:37In the middle of that round, a seminal moment, I think, so far in this fight.
00:24:41Again, the left misses by Perez, and this time it's a three-punch combination that I think stunned Perez.
00:24:47That left hand that Perez pushes with has gotten him in trouble all through this fight.
00:24:52Well, he's got those quiet boy looks, Kurilov, but don't let that fool you.
00:24:58He has been on the attack.
00:24:59Just like there, another right hand lands for Kurilov.
00:25:04Dmitry Kurilov says, baby on his trunks, raised by his mother who worked in a factory in St. Petersburg, Russia.
00:25:13Started boxing at age 14, married with a two-year-old daughter.
00:25:17They all live in St. Petersburg, Russia.
00:25:22Perez trying to go to the party, but a great right hand by Kurilov nails Perez upstairs.
00:25:30Break, break!
00:25:31Don't hold behind the head, okay?
00:25:33Don't hold behind the head.
00:25:34Bucks.
00:25:35The caution from John Zablocki for holding behind the head to Perez.
00:25:47Kurilov just brimming with confidence now.
00:25:50Beautiful left hook to the jaw by Kurilov.
00:25:53You know, Boris Akhenov in the corner gave him some great advice,
00:25:57and that is don't forget lateral movement.
00:26:00Don't stand in front of Perez and give him a chance to hit you.
00:26:03And in this round, the movement of Kurilov has added to this
00:26:08and made it even more difficult for Perez to hit him.
00:26:11Yeah, for an orthodox fighter versus a lefty,
00:26:13the idea is to move to your left away from the southpaw's power.
00:26:17Fire the straight right down the middle.
00:26:20Conversely, the left-hander should circle to his right, throw the straight left.
00:26:23His power punch down the middle.
00:26:25Off in the righty versus a lefty.
00:26:28Their feet get tangled and heads collide, but so far, nothing there.
00:26:34You know, Perez is not a bad combination puncher,
00:26:37and you see him putting three or four punches together, but they're not landing.
00:26:41Kurilov is slipping.
00:26:42Look at how many of these punches he slipped in the last minute.
00:26:46Excellent defensive maneuvers here by Kurilov.
00:26:52Perez is not the quickest fighter in terms of hand or foot speed in a small weight division like this,
00:26:58but he makes up for it with his power and his determination,
00:27:01but tonight, the difference in quickness is bedeviling him.
00:27:06Kurilov, the number one IBF contender, an eight-year pro,
00:27:10his second world title shot,
00:27:12lost for the WC, BC belt a couple of years ago.
00:27:16Tomasamori Tokoyama in Japan.
00:27:18He's still the champion, Tokoyama.
00:27:22Kurilov with a beautiful straight right hand upstairs that sends Perez back.
00:27:27Just covering up, now Perez, very game comes forward.
00:27:32Another right hand that tagged Perez.
00:27:47Now Kurilov keeping his distance, setting up.
00:27:51And we'll follow Perez into the corners, the two-pump.
00:28:01Give him water, give him water.
00:28:09Look.
00:28:11You've got to wait until he attacks.
00:28:15You've got to wait until he attacks.
00:28:17Because you're a great counterpuncher.
00:28:20You've got a counterpunch with him.
00:28:23The right hand cross when he's coming in upstairs.
00:28:32The defense of Kurilov has been superb.
00:28:35He slips one punch.
00:28:37He'll slip more.
00:28:40I mean, this is superb on his part.
00:28:42And that's what Rosendo Alvarez is talking about.
00:28:44They don't want Perez to punch first.
00:28:46They want him to counterpunch.
00:28:47And that's the other reason why they want him to counterpunch.
00:28:49When he leads with that left and pushes it, he gets hit.
00:28:55Round 5 scheduled for 12 for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Championship.
00:29:00115 counters.
00:29:03These guys have a very talented division.
00:29:07Perez is one of the more exciting lighter weight fighters.
00:29:11The best at 115.
00:29:13Probably Martin Castillo, the WBA champ from Mexico.
00:29:20WBO title is Fernando Monteiro.
00:29:22Mexico also quite good.
00:29:23And the top American is 2000 Olympian Jose Navarro.
00:29:27Whom Kurilov sparred with.
00:29:29A southpaw like Perez.
00:29:31So that was good practice for Dimitri.
00:29:36But it would be nice to get those guys together.
00:29:40All of them.
00:29:43Take a look at press row scoring.
00:29:45It's Kurilov all the way.
00:29:47And I actually have Kurilov winning every single round.
00:29:50So I have it 40-36.
00:29:51The score is Al or Bud Barth from the Worcester Telegram and Gazette.
00:29:55Pat Kelly, FightNews.com.
00:29:57And George Kimball from SweetScience.com.
00:30:00And of course, George, for many, many years at the Boston Herald, recently retired there.
00:30:07Dmitri Kurilov, Al, does not seem to be awed by his first professional appearance on American soil.
00:30:13Now, the danger right now for Dmitri Kurilov is, as he gains confidence in his fight, look at him walk
00:30:20in and throw a left hook to the body, which is really not a punch he should be throwing too
00:30:23much of from the outside.
00:30:25His danger is, if he gets lured into a big punching match and attacks too much to Perez, he can
00:30:31be hit with something big.
00:30:32So he has to still fight a smart fight here, even though he is controlling this fight completely.
00:30:42Perez digging to the body doesn't seem to be bothering Kurilov, who just marches around the ring.
00:30:51Long right hand by Kurilov.
00:30:55And a left hook by Kurilov upstairs.
00:30:58That got the attention of Perez, who held on.
00:31:00Hold him in punch, okay, box.
00:31:02Another warning by the referee.
00:31:05That's two on Perez.
00:31:06One more could be a point deduction.
00:31:14Now, Perez is 5-1 in fights that go to 12-round distance.
00:31:19Kurilov is only 1-2, so in theory, you might think he has the edge.
00:31:24But the problem is, if Perez takes this kind of pounding over a bunch of rounds, he won't have the
00:31:28edge in those later rounds.
00:31:41Nice left hook to the head by Kurilov.
00:31:4310 seconds.
00:31:50Marginal blow there.
00:31:52A little south of the border by Perez at the belt.
00:31:55In case you missed it, last night on Showbox, the new generation out of Concho, Oklahoma.
00:32:01Super well-to-weight prospect Juan Manuel Buendia made his 2006 debut in impressive fashion
00:32:08by dropping rangy Alexis de Vizón with a barrage of body shots for a fourth-round stoppage.
00:32:14Buendia remained undefeated at 13-0 with 5-K-O.
00:32:18And in the main event, flyweight contender Glenn, the Filipino bomber, Donair, was in charge throughout.
00:32:27His power and his pressure, able to overcome the technical skills of Cesar El Gallito Lopez
00:32:33to win a pair of regional belts.
00:32:35The unanimous decision for Donair, who improved to 15-2-1.
00:32:53We had a round six, no knockdowns, a fight that has been pretty much controlled by the man
00:33:00and the white trunks, the Russian colors, blue and red.
00:33:04Dmitry Kurilov.
00:33:09As we move on in this fight, one of the rumors floating around this fight was
00:33:15that Perez had some trouble making weight.
00:33:17If, in fact, that's true, it could impact him as this bout goes on.
00:33:26It's funny, before the Machado fight, Perez told us he was dropped five times.
00:33:31Yesterday, when we met with him, he told us he was dropped one time in his career.
00:33:36Obviously, he has improved immensely since we last saw him.
00:33:39Exactly.
00:33:44Kurilov.
00:33:45You know, you're right, Steve, and the thing that's impressive about Kurilov
00:33:50is he's landing so many different kinds of punches.
00:33:53This is a much more varied attack, wouldn't you agree,
00:33:55than the guy we saw in several fights on tape?
00:33:57It's like two completely different people.
00:34:05And even in his last fight against Lopez, which he won by a very close split decision,
00:34:09was sent down in that fight,
00:34:11didn't put together this kind of a fantastic performance.
00:34:16And that was a great left hook for the body of Perez.
00:34:21And Perez coming back.
00:34:28Kurilov, very disciplined, very measured.
00:34:31I like the way he sets himself.
00:34:34Very fundamentally sound right here.
00:34:3728-2 with 10 knockouts.
00:34:39He is fighting as close to the perfect fight as he could have tonight against Luis Perez.
00:34:44He's doing almost everything perfectly.
00:34:46Really a masterful, skillful job here as he just keeps pumping forward.
00:34:51And Perez says, okay, bring it on.
00:34:54And Dimitri does.
00:34:59Kurilov's second world title shot.
00:35:03Both his losses in 30 fights by unanimous decision comes up.
00:35:08The majority decision over Ronaldo Lopez in 05 in Moscow in an IBF eliminator.
00:35:20If there's a punch that will turn this around for Perez,
00:35:23there won't be any of those right hooks.
00:35:25It would be a nice straight left hand from the outside.
00:35:27And those are the ones he can't land against Kurilov.
00:35:30Wow.
00:35:31Kurilov.
00:35:32Straight right and blow blow by Perez.
00:35:35That's about the fourth one.
00:35:37They might start to think about warning him or taking a point away.
00:35:43Again, it's Kurilov coming forward and letting fly.
00:35:48Nice overhand right to the head by Kurilov.
00:35:50Another one.
00:35:54Kurilov landing that right repeatedly on the head of Perez.
00:36:13He's getting tired and we've got to go to war.
00:36:18He's not going to run.
00:36:20You're stronger than him and you're good in the short game.
00:36:29Kurilov has done well with the right hands and also the left hook as well.
00:36:36That left hook, a great hook to the head.
00:36:39And then that left hook has worked to the body as well.
00:36:41This does work against the lefty and he makes it work there.
00:36:45And of course, the double left hook is what you want.
00:36:47He didn't get that second one in.
00:36:48Now, several times Perez has gone low.
00:36:51So, that one underneath the belt line.
00:36:54That's one of about three or four times that's happened.
00:36:56I think pretty soon a warning or perhaps a point deduction may come to Perez.
00:37:04Round seven scheduled for 12 for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Championship.
00:37:09Perez keeps getting deeper and deeper into trouble.
00:37:13And a little note, he has no knockouts after the sixth round.
00:37:40We want to apologize for the fact that our graphic clock is not working.
00:37:46In his neck.
00:37:47We will get it rectified as quickly as possible.
00:37:53Kurilov fighting a more tactical round here.
00:37:55But still managing to get some shots in.
00:37:58And Perez unable to get off.
00:38:00They really want Kurilov to come to them.
00:38:03He's just not doing it.
00:38:05Under two minutes remaining in the round.
00:38:09Step back, step back.
00:38:15Do you think now, maybe, when Aldo Mendoza and Perez wish they had actually watched some tape?
00:38:21Although, the interesting thing is, had they, they wouldn't have seen this version of Kurilov.
00:38:26But they would have seen some of the weapons he has.
00:38:29Often times, when a fighter or a trainer say that, that's the reason.
00:38:34Because then the opposition...
00:38:37Last warning.
00:38:38Stay off the head and punch him.
00:38:40You can't do it anymore.
00:38:41He'll turn it around.
00:38:43Well, that's the warning for holding and hitting.
00:38:46Which, they could also take the point away from Perez.
00:38:48And wow, how about those rights?
00:38:50Straight right hand, right on the button by Kurilov.
00:38:56And that momentarily rocked Perez.
00:38:59One minute remaining in round seven.
00:39:02Another very impressive one for Kurilov.
00:39:04Now, make no mistake, we saw some of these skills from Kurilov in a couple of the fights we watched.
00:39:09We just didn't see them in such a sustained fashion.
00:39:12You know, he had a great amateur career.
00:39:14He's won most of, and certainly by far, most of his pro fights.
00:39:16So, he has skills.
00:39:17But, this is the most complete performance, I think, of his career.
00:39:21Well, he said at the outset, while he had some liabilities, he was tough to trim.
00:39:25Good chin, good heart.
00:39:27Now, when you put this together with those attributes, you've got a darn good fighter.
00:39:32That's for sure.
00:39:41Again, good work on the inside from close quarters by Kurilov.
00:39:45And a straight right hand right on the nose by Kurilov.
00:39:52Perez trying to go to the body.
00:39:54Kurilov happy to stay upstairs.
00:40:08It's a good round.
00:40:09Keep your distance.
00:40:11Go even closer to him.
00:40:12Keep going closer to him.
00:40:14Don't work at his distance.
00:40:16And push him if you need to.
00:40:19Just keep pushing him back.
00:40:21Get closer to him.
00:40:23Don't stand where he works, where he operates.
00:40:26Get closer to him and push him back.
00:40:31You'll see how quickly these right hands come from Dmitry Kurilov.
00:40:36Without slowing this down, you can see just how fast they come.
00:40:42Roundhouse rights and some straight ones.
00:40:45And Perez has no answer.
00:40:46And then when Perez pushes with that left hand and leans in with it, he gets hit again.
00:40:52Dmitry Kurilov looking to fulfill an oath with close friend Roman Karmazin of winning a world title
00:41:02in tribute to their late coach Igor Levidev, who passed away this past January.
00:41:08And he's looking to become Russia's first champion at 115 pounds.
00:41:13Karmazin was able to get his championship in the junior middleweight division.
00:41:17And now, oh my, unbelievable out of nowhere, down goes Kurilov.
00:41:27Seven, eight, take a step towards me, okay?
00:41:33Kurilov down for the third time in his career.
00:41:39Mentioned he went down in his last fight, which he came back to win.
00:41:43And now Perez trying to go to town and finish him off.
00:41:47There's a left hand by Perez that stunned Kurilov.
00:41:52So Kurilov...
00:41:54...in all kinds of difficulty here in round eight with two minutes remaining.
00:41:59I didn't think the right hook would be the thing to do it, but guess what?
00:42:03I was wrong, because that right hook from Perez was sharp and had lots of power behind it.
00:42:08After Kurilov was controlling the fight, he goes down.
00:42:13And now here's Perez again on the inside.
00:42:16Kurilov with a very nice right hand a moment ago that bought himself some time.
00:42:23Let's see if Perez is patient here now.
00:42:26And there's a left hand to the top of Perez's head.
00:42:29So Kurilov showing his heart, his resolve.
00:42:34Hanging in there.
00:42:36And another hard right hook by Perez to the head of Kurilov.
00:42:40What a great round of boxing this has turned into.
00:42:43All of a sudden, a very competitive situation.
00:42:46After it was one-sided for Kurilov.
00:42:49Step back, step back.
00:42:51Step back.
00:42:56With a minute to go, let's see how Perez finishes things out there after having Kurilov on the canvas.
00:43:03It was a right hand by Perez that nailed Kurilov.
00:43:07Part of the reason Kurilov's getting in with those right hooks is he's cranking up his own left hook.
00:43:12That's a dangerous punch for him.
00:43:13He shouldn't throw it too often.
00:43:19Very difficult round for Kurilov on the backpedaling march now as Perez just takes him around the ring.
00:43:30And back comes Kurilov here towards the end.
00:43:3224 seconds to go in the eighth.
00:43:34Another right hand by Kurilov.
00:43:37Perez says bring it on, Dimitri.
00:43:39Back comes Perez now with a right hook to the chin.
00:43:45Dimitri Kurilov should simply not throw any left hooks to the head for the next round or two at all.
00:43:52Another right hand by Kurilov.
00:43:54What a finish by Kurilov after being on the canvas.
00:44:10Give me the bucket.
00:44:12Give me the bucket.
00:44:13Give me the bucket.
00:44:18Are you back?
00:44:21Don't hold your hands low.
00:44:26It's okay.
00:44:28He was hurt and he's more tired than you.
00:44:34It was a right hook by Perez.
00:44:39A double right hook.
00:44:40Fantastic work by Perez.
00:44:42A right hook to the body, then a right hook to the head.
00:44:44The left hand was very low.
00:44:48We talked in the keys about how Perez might get it done with the right hand when the hand was
00:44:55low, and that's exactly what he did.
00:44:57Now, Kurilov came back in that round with some superb right hands, but still a terrific round for Luis Perez.
00:45:03And an appreciative crowd here in Worcester, Massachusetts.
00:45:08They're waiting for their local hero, Jose Antonio Rivera up next in the main event, but they'd really be entertained
00:45:15here.
00:45:19Round 9, scheduled for 12 for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Championship.
00:45:24Perez in the red is the champion.
00:45:25And the thing that round did in terms of the scoring intrigue was a lot, because it was a two
00:45:31-point round, undoubtedly, for Perez.
00:45:33Now, I gave every round before that to Dimitri Kurilov, but let's say even one round went to Perez on
00:45:41somebody's scorecard.
00:45:41Now, this gets to be a closer fight.
00:45:44At least one that's potentially winnable for Perez.
00:45:47Interestingly, we all expected two contrasting styles, Al, coming into this particular fight.
00:45:56But Kurilov taking the fight to Perez.
00:46:01Now, Luis Perez still needs very good rounds, maybe to win all the rounds still to win, but at least
00:46:07he's put himself in a position where he can.
00:46:09And, of course, a knockout is certainly a possibility for him.
00:46:12And the folks along Fresh Road.
00:46:14Bud Barth from the Worcester Telegram and Gazette, Pat Kelly, FightNews.com, George Kimball, SweetScience.com.
00:46:22All have Kurilov still ahead.
00:46:25Al, how do you see it to this point?
00:46:29I have it a, actually still a five-point win for, so far, for Kurilov.
00:46:40Kurilov on the canvas in the last round on a right hook by Luis Perez after he had been in
00:46:48charge for just about the entire fight.
00:46:53It really came out of nowhere.
00:46:55He dropped his hands, and you heard our interpreter, Steve Bash, informing us through the trainer, of course, that we're
00:47:04telling Dimitri to keep those hands up.
00:47:07Great right hand by Kurilov.
00:47:14And again, those punches are finding a home.
00:47:18Kurilov able to recover, regain his composure after being down.
00:47:25Great comeback by Luis Perez, and he's becoming much more accurate with his punches.
00:47:32And using the jab more, which we talked about at the beginning of the fight, for Perez, it's a superb
00:47:36weapon, but he didn't use it early in the fight.
00:47:42Oh, a long left hook by Kurilov, two of them.
00:47:46The first one more damaging.
00:47:50Let's go, here we go!
00:47:54Over the top, a right hand by Kurilov.
00:47:57Another right hand by Kurilov at the bell.
00:48:09We're okay in the fight, but we need to win these last rounds.
00:48:14And one of the best ways to do it is that you have to keep working with the right hand
00:48:19in the ribs.
00:48:21You've got to keep working the right.
00:48:25He feels it.
00:48:26There's only three rounds left.
00:48:27We have to knock him out in those three rounds.
00:48:37Former world champion Rosendo Alvarez offering the words of encouragement
00:48:42to Luis Alberto Perez, who is behind even though he scored a knockdown.
00:48:49And I have an 87-83 for Dmitry Kurilov.
00:48:53He just put so many rounds in the bank early on.
00:48:57As we enter round 10, scheduled for 12, IBF 115-pound championship.
00:49:04Perez comes out quickly, but there's a left hook to the head.
00:49:07It grazed Perez's head.
00:49:10Kurilov.
00:49:11Step back, step back.
00:49:12Good advice from Rosendo Alvarez.
00:49:14You know, early on during the keys, I thought that right jab and right hook to the head would work.
00:49:19But then, during the course of this fight, he wasn't throwing it well, Perez, and the straight left, which is
00:49:24his big power punch, seemed like it might be the ticket.
00:49:26But once he started really throwing the right hand, you could see it was going to be effective.
00:49:30And I think Alvarez was correct in suggesting he go back to that, to both the body and the head.
00:49:35Another double right hook would be a good idea for Perez.
00:49:41When all the tapes we saw of Kurilov, he was so economical with his punches, he's not being that way
00:49:46here.
00:49:47He's letting it fly.
00:49:50Kurilov has slightly changed his approach, throwing many too many leadoff left hooks.
00:49:56That's not the way to do it for him.
00:49:58Some guys can do that against the lefty.
00:49:59He can't, the way he's fighting here.
00:50:02Perez doing a beautiful job here of taking command, leading Kurilov around the ring, dictating the tempo.
00:50:12Oh, a nice right hook again, upstairs by Perez that got the attention of Kurilov.
00:50:20Step back, step back.
00:50:24How those early rounds were scored will really tell us who's going to win this fight if there's not a
00:50:30knockout.
00:50:31Because Perez is controlling these final rounds.
00:50:33One was a two-point round, but how many of those early rounds did anyone give to Luis Perez amongst
00:50:38the judges?
00:50:39That's the question.
00:50:42I gave him none, so I had all of them through round seven for Dimitri Kurilov, but there were a
00:50:49couple that were close.
00:50:50So, Mallory Castillo, a sense of urgency here for Perez, in the tank.
00:50:56Now, he's winning this round, Perez, even though it was a nice shot by Kurilov.
00:51:08Perez being very patient, despite the fact that he has got to be behind.
00:51:22Straight left hand, but not a lot of mustard behind it by Perez.
00:51:26Now, they told Dimitri to get on the inside with Perez.
00:51:29I think that was a mistake.
00:51:31I think the lateral movement was more appropriate for him, and created a tougher target for Perez.
00:51:36Good right by Kurilov.
00:51:38And a nice right hand by Kurilov again.
00:51:41That one sent Perez back.
00:51:45Still a very good round, though, for Luis Perez.
00:51:57Oh!
00:51:57What a shot by Kurilov!
00:52:00A left-right combination, but the right a real power punch.
00:52:11Have a seat.
00:52:16Keep countering, keep countering.
00:52:18Now listen.
00:52:20Now are the championship rounds.
00:52:23And he's going to try as hard as he can.
00:52:26He's going to keep coming after you.
00:52:28You keep pushing him back.
00:52:30And keep the pace up.
00:52:32This is what we trained for.
00:52:33Keep the pace up.
00:52:36Come press and close to him.
00:52:38Press to him.
00:52:38You're just standing there.
00:52:39Press close to him.
00:52:41Drink some water.
00:52:44Early on in the last round, Perez able to use that right hook again.
00:52:48That one didn't quite get there flush, but it did knock Kurilov off balance.
00:52:55Now, Kurilov with the good straight right hand toward the end of the round.
00:52:59That's been a good weapon for him.
00:53:00Was it enough to win him the round?
00:53:02I don't think so, but he had a better last half of that round.
00:53:06Boris Zikinov.
00:53:07Kurilov's trainer was right.
00:53:09Step back.
00:53:09Step back.
00:53:10Break.
00:53:10Break.
00:53:10Good job.
00:53:11We enter the championship rounds.
00:53:12Round 11.
00:53:18Let's see if Perez really steps it up here.
00:53:23I still have Kurilov ahead by three points in this match with two rounds left.
00:53:28Obviously, two 10-9 wins on my scorecard wouldn't get Perez there, though he's controlling these
00:53:34rounds.
00:53:34But a knockdown could certainly get him there.
00:53:37And in case you're wondering, Perez has more experience going to 12 rounds six times.
00:53:44Here's the press row scoring.
00:53:48So two of them, Pat Kelly and George Kimball, have it exactly as I do.
00:53:51And one judge, a press row judge, of course unofficial, has only a two-point margin.
00:53:57Perez to the 12 six times where he's 5-1.
00:54:00Kurilov to the 12 three times where he's 1-2.
00:54:04And the lone win was his last fight.
00:54:06The majority decision over Reynaldo Lopez.
00:54:10The one loss in that equation for Perez was against Bernie Torres in July 2000.
00:54:17His only defeat.
00:54:19Look how stationary Kurilov is.
00:54:21And he's trading hooks with Perez.
00:54:23Now, some are getting there for Kurilov, but he puts himself in harm's way when he does that.
00:54:27But he is a tough little guy, isn't he?
00:54:30As is Perez.
00:54:33Step back.
00:54:34Step back.
00:54:35Good job.
00:54:36Very close round here in round 11.
00:54:37I mean really close.
00:54:42But...
00:54:45And a couple of good right hands by Kurilov.
00:54:50In what has been a surprising performance by Kurilov.
00:54:56This is a very, very good 11th round for both fighters.
00:55:00Both men are getting a lot done here.
00:55:03Step back.
00:55:04Step back.
00:55:06A much more stationary Kurilov.
00:55:09And it's produced some good results for him, but also some bad results.
00:55:14Luis Perez has done a very good job of taking advantage of that lack of movement.
00:55:18Kurilov.
00:55:28Step back.
00:55:29Kurilov bringing his A game to a championship stage in his second world title shot.
00:55:36And even though he's been on the canvas once in this fight.
00:55:42Missing wildly there.
00:55:45But Perez unable to take advantage with Kurilov off balance.
00:55:49It's going to be a pivotal round because it's a very close round.
00:55:56Let's see if Kurilov could steal it.
00:56:07The fans loving it here in Worcester.
00:56:1612th round.
00:56:17Sit down.
00:56:17You want to win this fight.
00:56:19If you want to win this fight, you have to kill him right now.
00:56:23Kill him right now.
00:56:24Keep your head down.
00:56:27Listen to me.
00:56:28Of course, last round, touch gloves, okay?
00:56:30You got it.
00:56:36This is the last round.
00:56:38Go and try to win this round.
00:56:42Touch gloves.
00:56:43And this one, you got to knock him out.
00:56:46You have to hit him hard.
00:56:47Up the stairs and downstairs.
00:56:51Up and down and the upper.
00:56:57As we get ready for the 12th and final round for the IBF Junior Bantamweight Championship.
00:57:03It's been a terrific fight.
00:57:05A lot better than expected.
00:57:08Well, you know, we knew Luis Perez, a very aggressive fighter, was going to throw a lot of punches.
00:57:13But Dmitry Kirilov has been so much more active than we anticipated.
00:57:18And they have both done a great job.
00:57:19Nice right hand by Kirilov right from the get-go.
00:57:22And they both come out.
00:57:23And Kirilov is stunned momentarily.
00:57:28He was wobbled.
00:57:29Again, the right hook.
00:57:30And Perez using his jab so much more effectively.
00:57:33Where was that for the first five rounds?
00:57:36I really seriously question Kirilov being such an aggressor at this juncture in this fight.
00:57:42I just have to believe he's ahead on the scorecards.
00:57:45And I can't imagine why they would send him out to go after Luis Perez.
00:57:50Their words were, go kill him.
00:57:52I don't understand that.
00:57:53I really don't.
00:57:53And the words of Rosendo Alvarez were, you need a knockout.
00:57:58And that I understand.
00:58:02Good job, great.
00:58:03Good job, good job.
00:58:05It's taking the press row scorers one more time here.
00:58:08And it's awfully close on Bud Varskart.
00:58:12Now, they all gave the last round to Luis Perez.
00:58:15I thought it was a very close round and clear going either way.
00:58:18I ended up giving it to Kirilov.
00:58:20But you can make a strong case for going to Perez.
00:58:25A minute four to go in the 12th round.
00:58:26And what has turned out to be a pretty dramatic affair here.
00:58:33Kirilov's going for it.
00:58:35But it would seem Perez is the one who has to.
00:58:40Wow, what a great 12th round.
00:58:42Both obviously a little tired.
00:58:44Their technique has suffered in this round.
00:58:46But they are wailing away with everything they can.
00:58:49Some big exchanges here.
00:58:52A wild swing and a miss by Perez.
00:58:55And they are really tired.
00:58:58Understandably.
00:59:06Perez just leaning in.
00:59:08Setting himself up for an uppercut.
00:59:12Kirilov using the right much more effectively.
00:59:14And in this round, he's throwing fewer wild left hooks.
00:59:17Which is a good idea on his part.
00:59:18Straighter punches, as you see.
00:59:22Kirilov with a big left hook upstairs.
00:59:27Perez is exhausted.
00:59:29But showing tremendous heart.
00:59:32The final 30 seconds of the fight.
00:59:36This for the 115 pound title.
00:59:39Did Kirilov take it away from the champion, Perez?
00:59:43Kirilov, who was on the canvas back in the eighth round.
00:59:46But did he put enough in the bank early on to win this fight?
00:59:52Final seconds of the 12th round.
00:59:59Wild exchange here.
01:00:01Kirilov getting the better.
01:00:04And that's it.
01:00:05The bell sounds.
01:00:07Tremendous fight.
01:00:15Kirilov getting hoisted.
01:00:20Oh, he just looks exhausted, Al.
01:00:24But are we looking at a new world champion?
01:00:27What an American debut for Dimitri Kirilov.
01:00:44That is a look of major concern on the face of Luis Alberto Perez.
01:00:52Did he do enough?
01:00:54So much riding last round for Luis Perez.
01:00:58Woo!
01:01:00But it's nothing but exultation in the Kirilov corner.
01:01:04He thinks he's got this one.
01:01:11There was danger in round 12 for Dimitri Kirilov.
01:01:16He was buckled momentarily.
01:01:19Perez would nail him with this straight left hand.
01:01:26And get him in some trouble.
01:01:31And Kirilov was able to get past it and finish out the round.
01:01:39And we take a look at, this is the portion where he gets nailed with that, well actually it was
01:01:45the right hand that really stunned him momentarily.
01:01:47But Kirilov still attacking after that even though he was rocked, almost hit the canvas with his left knee and
01:01:54that would have been intriguing in the scoring.
01:01:56At the end of the fight, Kirilov came back, he actually had, I thought overall, a pretty good round 12.
01:02:03And I would have given Kirilov the 12th round.
01:02:07And he punctuated it with a terrific flurry at the end that he thought was enough to get him the
01:02:13round and ultimately the championship.
01:02:15Now in round 8, which ended up being a two-point round for Perez, it was the right hook, double
01:02:21right hook, great double right hook to the body and the head by Luis Perez.
01:02:25That made, started to make this fight interesting.
01:02:28And from that point on, Luis Perez did some very, very good work.
01:02:32Certainly won three of the rounds.
01:02:34And one of the rounds was a two-point round.
01:02:37Was that enough along with any rounds he got early in the fight to win this?
01:02:41That's what we're going to find out.
01:02:42The three judges from three different cities in the U.S.
01:02:47Mike Ancona from Johnstown, Ohio.
01:02:49Paul Barry from right here in Worcester, Mass.
01:02:52And David Hess from Dubuque, Iowa.
01:02:56David with the most world title experience, his 16th world title bout.
01:03:01Paul Barry, his second world title bout.
01:03:04Rivera-Colazzo was his first last April here in Worcester.
01:03:07He had Rivera winning that fight.
01:03:09Colazzo won it.
01:03:1210th world title bout for Ancona.
01:03:15And there is Dmitry Kurilov with an early celebration with the Russian flag.
01:03:23No matter what, his stock will go up.
01:03:32We're standing by.
01:03:34Looks like Jimmy Lennon Jr. is ready to provide us with a decision.
01:03:39So here is Jimmy.
01:03:42Ladies and gentlemen, after 12 rounds of action, we have a split decision here.
01:03:47The score totals.
01:03:49Judge at ringside, Paul Barry scores the bout 117 to 110 in favor of Dmitry Kurilov.
01:03:59Judge at ringside, Mike Ancona scores the bout 115 to 113 in favor of Luis Perez.
01:04:08And judge at ringside, David Hess scores the bout 114 to 113 in favor of the winner and still champion
01:04:21Luis Perez.
01:04:26A lot of people would call that highway robbery.
01:04:29You hear the reaction and you see the reaction.
01:04:32Kurilov who is in stunned disbelief.
01:04:35And what makes this so unbelievable is the disparity.
01:04:39One judge has Kurilov winning 117-110 and the other judges have Perez winning.
01:04:45I had a 117-111.
01:04:47Obviously those last two rounds probably were pivotal.
01:04:50And also some of the early rounds, if one or two of those rounds were given to Perez.
01:04:54But I'm surprised.
01:04:56So am I.
01:05:02Kurilov just can't believe it.
01:05:03He fights the fight of his life.
01:05:07And in his estimation, and many here, he got rough.
01:05:16Well, whatever the outcome of this fight, objectively speaking, you have to say that
01:05:23Kurilov performed certainly as well as he ever has as a professional.
01:05:28And we see evidence of that as we go inside the ropes throughout this fight.
01:05:32Early on, the straight right hand landing and the left hooks.
01:05:35He had a complete arsenal of punches.
01:05:37Good combinations.
01:05:39Obviously, this action early, he was very, very sharp.
01:05:43Things did change later in the fight after round eight.
01:05:46But for the most part, through the first seven rounds, that was what Dmitry Kurilov did.
01:05:50The hand speed, a big issue for Luis Perez.
01:05:53Well, Paul Barry, the judge from right here in Worcester, Massachusetts, seemed to be the only one who got it
01:05:58right.
01:05:59I'm not sure it would have been that much of a disparity, 117-110, or that much, you know, of
01:06:06a separation.
01:06:08Might have been closer.
01:06:09Nevertheless, he got the right guy winning.
01:06:12Let's go to Jim Gray.
01:06:14All right, Steve.
01:06:15Thank you very much.
01:06:15They continue to discuss this decision here in the ring.
01:06:18Steve Bash will interpret for us as he did during the fight.
01:06:21Dmitry, did you feel as though you won the fight?
01:06:24Did you feel as though you won the fight?
01:06:30Of course, I feel like I won the fight.
01:06:32I couldn't imagine that in America I can get such a decision.
01:06:36That's why I was actually afraid to come here to America to take this fight.
01:06:39I won the fight completely.
01:06:40I just got robbed.
01:06:42You were afraid that this would happen before the fight because of the American judges?
01:06:48I was afraid of the fight.
01:06:50I felt that I won the fight.
01:06:54I can't say that I was afraid before the fight that I would lose on the cards.
01:06:58But I was fighting here and I knew that I won.
01:07:01I clearly won the fight.
01:07:03When you went down, this is clearly unfair.
01:07:06When you went down in the eighth round, he caught you.
01:07:09Were you surprised because you seemed to have the fight in total control up to that point?
01:07:13When you went down in the eighth round, you were surprised because of the fight in total control up to
01:07:19that point.
01:07:26I lost the shot and got knocked down, but you know what?
01:07:28I came right back and I went right after him.
01:07:30I had control the rest of the way.
01:07:31Did you do enough in the later rounds, after the eighth round, to win this fight?
01:07:35I just wish you did enough for the eighth round to win this fight.
01:07:46After the eighth round, I controlled the entire fight and I did everything I could with him and everything I
01:07:50wanted to.
01:07:54And truthfully, regardless of the knockdown, I felt I won clearly on points.
01:07:57Dimitri, thank you.
01:07:59Great performance tonight.
01:08:02Luis, let me ask you.
01:08:04Did you feel as though you won this fight?
01:08:08Luis, you felt like you won this fight?
01:08:09Of course.
01:08:11Thank God for what it was a good fight.
01:08:14Josh is a good fighter, very strong.
01:08:18But I felt like he did better in the shots.
01:08:21And this fight was very strong, but...
01:08:24The standing ovation that you hear,
01:08:26and I don't know if Ray Smoltz, our producer, can get this.
01:08:29This is a standing ovation as Dimitri leaves the ring.
01:08:32Excuse me, Luis, I'm sorry.
01:08:33Continue.
01:08:34Basically, he was saying that his punches were harder in the fight
01:08:37and he does give credit to the Kirloff camp,
01:08:40that he was very prepared, but he thinks his punches were stronger.
01:08:44Did you turn around this fight when you were able to connect and knock him down in the eighth round?
01:09:14Yeah, after not fighting for a year, I knew that after the knockdown,
01:09:17I had a little more aggressiveness and I went after him.
01:09:21After the fight ended, you did not seem as though you were very excited.
01:09:25Did you feel when this fight came to an end that Dimitri had won?
01:09:44I knew it was a strong fight, but at the end I gave the best punches and that I had
01:09:51won the fight.
01:09:54Thank you very much. Congratulations to you, a disputed decision.
01:09:57We appreciate your time. Thank you.
01:09:59Gracias, entonces, Luis, por tu tiempo.
01:10:00Bueno, primero que decirle, gracias a Don King por darme la oportunidad de pelear en Chocitán
01:10:04y lo que quiero decir es que es la revancha de la voz, pero quiero pelear con Fernando Montelli
01:10:08y el gallista Castillo, o si no, ya este, pelear con el traviso Arce.
01:10:14He gives thanks to Don King Promotions and we'll give him the rematch if he needs to.
01:10:19That's terrific. That's good to hear. Let's go back to you, Steve.
01:10:22All right, Jim, we begin with a controversial decision here.
01:10:25In many eyes, a gift victory for Luis Alberto Perez.
01:10:30As you take a look at the judges scoring, Kirilov won round 12 on all three judges' scorecards,
01:10:35which makes it more astonishing.
01:10:37Yeah, that's what I'm surprised.
01:10:38Now, two of the judges gave round one and two to Perez, which I didn't,
01:10:42but if you gave the last round to Kirilov, it's just tough to figure out how you ended up
01:10:48with Perez winning this fight.
01:10:50Now, giving those first two rounds to Perez took two away from ones that I had for Kirilov,
01:10:55and most of the ringside scorers did as well, so that's part of it.
01:11:01And a look at Perez Rose scoring, and they seem to have it the way we in the crowd saw
01:11:08it
01:11:08with Kirilov winning. All three guys had Kirilov winning.
01:11:11And the trick here, I think, is, you know, who landed more punches, who landed the sharper punches,
01:11:18and honestly, I find it hard to believe that you can't say Kirilov did that.
01:11:23He was very accurate with his punches, many more missed by Perez,
01:11:27and I know Perez landed a few more body shots than him, but not enough,
01:11:30and I do count body shots.
01:11:31I'm one of those people that looks at those, as judges should,
01:11:34but even with that, I don't think Perez did enough.
01:11:37So a split decision victory in controversial fashion for Luis Alberto Perez,
01:11:43who holds on to his belt, his third successful defense of the IBF Super Flyweight Championship.
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